Holder for electric lights and other purposes



P. J. TIMBERLAKE.

HOLDER FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTS AND OTHER PURPOSES.

APPLICATION FILED 1M2, 1920.

Patented Jan. 3, 1922,

3 SHEETS-SHFE'I I,.

APPLICATION FILED l-AN. 2. 1920.

Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

3 SHEEIS-SHEET 2.

- avwauboz PI77MB5BLAK5 P. J. TIMBERLAKE.

HOLDER FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTS AND OTHER PURPOSES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2.1920.

- Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

' a SHEETS-sues! a To all whom it may concern Be itknown that I, PAUL UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL J. TIMBERLAKE, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN;

HOLDER FO R ELECTRIC LIGHTS OTHER PURPOSES.

aoacs c J VTIMBERVIJAKE, a citizen of the United; States, residing at "Jackson, in the county of Jackson and State of Michigan, have inventedcerta-in newrand useful Improvements inH olders for Elec trio Li hts and other Purposes, of which the tollowlng 1s a specification. V r

In many homes are found handsome ars and vases of ornamental. pottery or glass that are oflit tle or no practical useand' which for that reason have in many cases been discarded. They are well adapted to serve as bases for ornamental lamps; and

my invention has for its object to produce :a support or holder for an electric light fixture that may be'easily applied to such a ar or vase and will securely hold the lamp in such manner that it may serve as the base or standard for the lamp the use just stated, it is not limited, in its useful applications, to that one use, but

maybe employed in a widevariety{o1 situationswhere the holding parts for the lamp or other article to be supported are adapted to enter a vessel of some sort, or. like hollow article, and engage with the inner Walls thereof.

In the accompanying drawings I Figure 1 is a sectional view illustrating is shown in section.

Fig. 2 isa simi lone form ofthe holder applied to a jar that tion in several particulars.

Fig. 3 is a top planview of the "form of.

holding means shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view ofanother invention, in elevation and section. V

Fig.6 is a perspective view, detached, of

' still another embodiment of my invention.

Fig. .6 is a view,-partly. in elevation and partly in section, illustrating features of inventlon 'notshown in any other views.

Fig. 7 isa top plan view of the holding means shown in Fig. 6.

Fig.8 is a vlew, in elevation and section,

illustrating another form of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of holding devices for engaging with the standard differentfltrom those shown in the views already described.

Fig. 10 isa perspective view'ofholding devices otfthe general character ot those Specification of Letters Patent.

:details of construction.

While the holder I have invented'is. particularly adapted for lar viewto Fig. 1, illus trating a different embodiment of the invenform of "my Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

,Application filed January 2, 1920. SeriaINo. 348,813.

shown in but difi'eringtherefrom in In the drawings -A represents a jar or vase, whichis typical of a'hollow standard .with which the support constituting my invention may be used. gsuch support has "been devised with especial referenceto use in connection withjars and vases such as shown, which have comparatively wide open mouths and are constructed with inflaring upper ends.- However, the invention may be used in connection with other articles,

and the vase is sometimes herein referredto bydthe generieexpression-a hollow stand- ZH f B designates a cover for the open endof the jar, and C' designates parts of an elec trio light connection, including the lamp socket and the flexible cord. The latter may enter the jar from above, passing through the cover B, as represented insome of the views, or from below, provided the hollow standard has an opening in its lower portion for that purpose, as represented in Fig. 6. I Q

Referring now particularly to" Fig. 1,

which represents the form of the invention which I prefer onaccount of the cheapness and simplicity of its construction. 2, repreconnection (3.. The holding members 5 have heads 10 shaped to engage with the interior walls of the jar being preferably resilient v and covered with rubhertubing .11 to prevent the heads from slipping whenin engagement with ,the'wall', and screw threaded stems v6', which latter are seated in extensions 7 of the adjustable plate 4. These exten sions, in the form of the invention being described, are separate from theplate abut united thereto by hinges 8. contractile spring9 unites the'hinged extensions 7, tend- 1n otiier, and inso doingto force the heads of the holding'members 5 outward and into to draw their free endstoward each engagementwiththe interiorwalls of the ar. v

The manner of usinga holder such as described is as follows: The holding members 5 are screwed into the 'eXtensions'Toi the ad-yjustable plate to the proper extent to accommodate them to the size of the ar or hollow standard with which they are to be used. Likewise, the screw 2 is-adjusted to move the plate 4 to the position bestsuite d for the shape and sizeoi jar being'employedfas the lamp standard. The holding parts 5 are thenmoved toward each other sufliciently far to permit them to pass throughthe mouth" of the jar and into theinterior thereon the sonn t) bein distended to ermit these 1 s v v 1': ,e i

movements: After passing the contracted portion of the jar and entering the interior thereofthe parts are broughtto the pos tion ind cated in Fig. '1', the spring 9 forclng'th'e holding arms 5 outwz'rrds' into operative,

' gripping positions. The screw 2 is now ad justed to lift the platei h 'and the parts that it carriesyth'us bringing the resilientends 10 of the holding arms 5 nto close engagement with the inner walls of the jar. The desired 'ressure for causin wo'rkin en a ement or b b t: 8:

.namental lamp.

1 In Figs. Qand 3 Iliave shown a diiierent embodiment of the invention. In thi'sj'view' the adjusting screwflinstead of being free to turn relative to the cover 4L is seated in ahlock on the underside of'the cover B.

' The: screw-threaded portioni of the screw passes through an adjustable plate 4, the

extensions 7' of which areinte ralftherewith. Theiinterior holding members',;in this form oh my invention designated 5 and consist of looped p eces of wire shaped to form the wall-engagingheads10, which are shown as covered with rubber-tubing 1 1. The free ends of the holding fa-rms' 5' re brought relatively close together and'iorined into hooks 13 adapted to pass through openings 12 in the adjustable. plate 41:, this arrangement constituting a hinge connection between each arm and the ad ustable plate.

The free end of each holding-arm is held outwardly, so as to beforced into engagement with the; interior wall of the jar 8 by a spring 9'. 7

;,It. will be seen that the holdingfarms 5 of this form of my inventionhave hinge connectionswwith the adjustable plate f l which are direct, instead of heinginterme diate as represented in the Fig. l? construetion," where the extensions 7 with which the arms engage are structurally separate from the plate 4L and are united thereto by hinges.

The oppositely extending arms that have pivotal connection with the 'scr'ewthreaded plate ornut on the-adjusting screw 2 form atoggle thefree ends of which contact directly by end thrust with the inner surfaces of the hollow standard A. r

In the first described form of my invention the holding arms are "bodily adjustable in their: carrying supports'and are alsofheld in working position by the spring 9, whereas! in the F 1g. 2'construct1on the arms are not bodily ad ustable; but have a-wider range of ad'ustment v"about their 111mg connections \Vlbll the plate 45 than is given the correspond,-

ing parts inthe' Fig/l construction. In

holding engagement'with thepinterior walls of the ar,"e1ther the cap orcover B is cordhe free, or the jar is turned relative to the cap, ifthe electric cord has been con-j nected with the supply system this being necessitated by the fact that the end ofthe screw which is seated in the'block 20 is not accessible; 7 V r v p In Fig; 41s shown a form of nvention employing holding' arms 5, such as shown in Fig. 1, but using a different form .ofadjustajoleplate which" in this View is designated 4 'Tlns plate is formed of resilient metal with loop-shaped spring extensions 7 in which the screw-threaded stemsG' of the of the arms 7 constituting the extensions of the adjustable plate take the place of: the

hinge extensions 7 ofFig. 1, and the spring 9 uniting them.

order to move the plate 4 soas to bring the n free ends ofthe holding arms 5 into forcible turned relative to the jar A; if the electric holding "arms 5-are seated The resiliency In Fig. 5 is illustrateda forni of holder v somewhat like that-in Fig 2, but differing inthat the holding'arms 5 do not have hinge connection with the extensions T of the justable plate 4 This plate is provided with a seriesof apertures 15 arranged in pair-sand at different distances iromfthe "center of the plate adapted to receive the hookshaped ends 16 of the holding arms 5. Thearms of-the holding elements are provided with collars 17 near their hooked ends to form stops adapted to rest on the upper surface oftheplate liasrepresented inthe drawings; TBy inserting the hooked ends of the holding arms 'inone oranOtherset of openings 15 they may be adjusted to suitthe size ofthe jar with which the holder. is used.

The. arms will rock sufiicientlyin the apertures 15'to permit the holding arms to be low them to pass throughthe contracted mouth oi the jar.

g It will be notedthat in each of 'the iorms of my invention thus fardescr'ibed the hold v 1% moved toward each other toan extent to al-, 7

ingarms, which may be in one form or another, extend outwardly from the central adjusting screw 2 and are adapted to have their ends brought into forcible engagement with the inner walls of the standard to effect the desired holding action, by adjustment of the screw. The holding means, comprising the two oppositely extending arms, are adjust-f able as a whole by the screw and are rigid,

standard'by the action of the screw. I am thus enabled to secure a very firm and satisfactory holding and securing action by the use of means of simple construction and oporation.

lVhile the holding arms are, as stated,

rigid in one direction, they are nevertheless.

yielding in the opposite direction, to permit the .holding parts to be readily passed through a contracted opening as has been described. This capability adds much to the ease with which the holder may be applied to standards of the shapes shown inthe draw ings, that is, to vases or other articles having more orless contracted open ends. 1 The inner walls of the standard are sloping and theholding means are brought into engagement therewith by bodily adjustment, as' 'distinguished from adjustment of the in- .dividual arms about their pivots; and hence ,itis important that such holding means should be rigid as has beenpoiuted out. The word rigid is not employed in the absolute sense, because the nature of, the material employed in making the holding arms is more or less resilient and would yield if sufficient forcewere applied thereto; butno great degree of force is required in using my holding device and the holding parts act as though they were actually 'rigidunder the pressures andv forces to which they are subjected when properly used. In some forms of my'invention, that of Fig. 1 for instance, portions of "them to have the necessary freedom of movethe arms, such as the ends thereof, may be made resilient, but the functions of the device incident to the rigidity of the holding arms, as has been described, are retained, notare however coiled to constitute resilient used. In place thereof I employ a hollow.

loops 18 that form the spring elements holding the ends of the arms in working position.

The free ends of the wires constituting the screw 21 that engages with the plate 4* and is of a size to carry the lamp cord 0, which for the article.

enters the jar B orother form of standard from below. The hollow screw 21 is seated invention having features in common. In

these views the adjustable supporting plate is in the form of a circular disk/l having screw threaded connectioniwith a hollow screw 21 similar to the correspondingly designated screw shown in Fig. 6. From'diametrically opposite points on the periphery of the adjustable plate 4 extendstuds or arms 24L that constitute supports for the holding arms 5. These studs'or arms 24' are conveniently formed by securingajpiece of wire to the underside of the plate lt. In'the form of invention shown in Fig. 9 the oppo site holding arms 5 are, integral, being united at their inner endsby coils or loops 23 of the wire of which-they'are formed, such coils encircling the lateral projecting studs or arms 24which constitute a supporting fulcrum for the arms. The wire of which the arms 5 is formed being elastic the coils 23 act as springs that hold the outer ends of l j the arms in holding engagement with/the standard. i

In that form f invention shown in Fig; 10 the two arms, 5 are'separate. Each is formed with loops or coils 2-3 surrounding the supporting arms 24." The ends of the wire of which one ofthe arms is formed are v continuedbeyond the coils 28. and formed into hooks 25 that engage with the sidebars of the opposite holding armas shown in the drawings. This arrangement maintains the arms in proper working positionppermits ment with reference to each other so that the wholemay'enter the contracted mouth of a standard and furnishes the desired springs I 1:15 It will 'be seen that in theseveral views in which different forms of myinvention are illustratedthe parts that are similar to each other in function are given the same referi ence characters, althoughyeach form is dis-"1 tinguished from. the other by the use of a different exponent.

It will be seen that in several of the forms of invention shown and described there are stops carried by the vertically movable sup ports for the holding arms of the device which stops-operate to prevent such movements of the arms as would carry the outer ends thereof, which engage with the, inner walls of the standard, outwardly and downof-the openings through which they hooks 13.

in thedrawings; in the construction represented in r igs. 2-and 3 the'upper outer edges of the arms pass,eonstitute the stops for arresting and holdlng the arms in normal positions; while in the construction of Fig. 5

'it is the under surfaces of the platei adjacent to the openings 15,- with which engage the ends 16 of the holding'arms that constitute these stops.

VVhat'I claim :isz-e- 1. The combination with a holder for an article-such as an electric lamp, of means for securing it to a hollow standard, comprising arms adapted 'to enter the-standard andto engage with the inner walls thereof andadjustable supporting carrier" means for, the

arms'irom which-they extend outwardly, the

' arms and supportingcarrier ,comprislng se- I so curing means that are rigid against pressures incident to their being brought into holding engagementwith the walls oi the standard,-and means for adjustingbodily the securing means to bring the ends of-the holding arms: into engagement with the Walls of the standard.

' 2. Thecombination with a holder for an article suchas an electric lamp, and a hollow standard for the holder having a contracted mouth, of means for securing the holder to the standard, comprising arms adapted to,

enter the standard and engage with the in-- ner'walls thereof-below the saidvmouth, the

- 'arm'sbeing freely movable in one direction to permit themto" approach each other as they pass through the mouth of thestandard; but together constituting a device nor-v mally rigid as a whole against the pressures incident to the ends of the armsfbeing brought into engagement with the inner walls of the standard, and means extending into the standard for adjusting the'holding arms bodily to bring the endsthereof into holding engagement with the walls of the standard after the arms have been passed insidethe standard. I i v 3. The combinationwith a holder ior'an article such as an electric lamp and a hollowstandardlfor the holder having a conholder to the standard, comprising an adjusting screw adapted to enter the holder," a carrying support mounted upon thescrew and arranged to be adjusted thereby, arms having hinge connections at their inner ends withthe carrying support and their outer ends being adaptedto engage with the inner walls of the standardbelow the mouththere- .-of,'the arms being freely movable in onedirection, byrcason of the said hinge conned tions,to permit them to approach each other as they pass through the mouth of the standard, meansfor automatically restoring the arms topositions toengage with the inner walls of; the standard after they -vhave entered thestandard and passed beyond the contracted mouth thereof, and means for causing the arms to resist pressures incident to their ends being brought, by the action of the adjusting screw, into engagement with the inner walls of thestandard.

s 4.. The combination witha holder for an article such as an'electric lamp and a hollow "moving them into holding engagement with theinner walls of the standard, and other means by which the holding arms may be adjusted with reference to each other to suit the size and shape of the standard with whichthey are to be used. 7 i

5. The combination with a holder for an article such as an electric lamp, and a hollow standard the inner walls of which are" sloping, of means for securing the holder to the standard, comprising" outwardly extending'arms the ends of which are adapted to be moved into holdin'g engagement with the sloping inner walls ofthe standard, and the ing the mouth, adapted to support a lamp'or .Slmrlar article, of means for securing the cover in place adapted to be located within 7 the ar, comprising a, centrally located supporting plate having hinged extensions,

holdingarms adapted to engage with the inner walls of the 1' ar having screw-threaded engagement with the said hinged extensions of the supporting plate whereby they may headjustcd bodily to suit the size of the standard with which they may be used, a 7 spring uniting the hinged extensions for forcing the holder arms outward to "engage, with he jar, and-a screw seated in the supportlng plate and uniting it with the cover. 7 The combination of'a hollow'standard the upper end of which is open, a'cover for tend downward into the standard, a carrying support mounted on the screw and ver arms being constructed to be rigid was to tically adjustable thereby, holding arms the outer ends of which are adapted to engage with the inner walls of the standard to secure the cover in place, their inner ends having pivotal connections with the said adjustable carrying support, which permit the arms to move in an upward direction, causing their outer ends to approach each other so they may pass through the open end of the standard to the interior thereof, and means for preventing the arms from moving downwardly beyond determined positions which they occupy when brought into engagement with the inner walls of the standard, the carrying support and holding arms being adjustable, as a unit, up and down by means of the aforesaid screw.

8. The combination of a hollow standard the upper end of which is open, a cover for the standard arranged to carry an article such as an electric lamp, an adjusting screw supported by the cover and adapted t ex- 7 tend downward into the standard, a carrying support mounted on the screw and vertically adjustable thereby holding arms the outer ends of which are adapted to engage with the inner walls of the standard to secure the cover in place, their inner ends having piv outer'ends to approach each other so they may pass through the open end of the standard to the interior thereof, and stops carried by the supporting plate for arresting the outward and downward movements of j contact directly by endwise thrust against the inner surfaces of such vase, cushions on said free arms, and a spring tending to straighten said toggle, whereby the rotation of said support turns said rod in said nut to straighten said toggle, engage said free ends firmly against the inner surfaces of such vase, and draw said supporttightly to such mouth. 1

PAUL J. TIMBERLAKE. 

